Vattenfall ‘goes large’ for future offshore wind projects

The operator said that the 90-metre vessels will revolutionise offshore wind farm operations and maintenance starting in 2027, replacing smaller Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) for far-offshore sites.

“After a thorough tender process, we are thrilled to partner with Louis Dreyfus Armateurs on these long-term contracts,” said Pavlo Malyshenko, head of offshore generation, Vattenfall.

“The vessels will support our mission of safe, reliable, and sustainable operations, strengthening our competitiveness in marine renewables.”

Innovative design

At present, Vattenfall mainly uses Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) at its offshore sites. These are smaller and used for daily transport of technicians to and from the turbines if the sailing times are short.

But for more far offshore windfarms, the much larger Service Operation Vessels (SOV) are better suited as they are built to stay on the site for several days. 

For vattenfall, the newbuild SOVs will offer enhanced operational efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and high-standard accommodation for up to 60 technicians.

Designed to meet the demanding conditions of the North Sea, the vessels feature innovative safety enhancements, including adjustable-height stern landings for technician transfers. Their eco-friendly design prioritises fuel efficiency and emission reductions, aligning with Vattenfall’s sustainability goals.

The first SOV will serve the DanTysk and Sandbank windfarms, each generating 288 MW, while the second will operate at the planned Nordlicht 1 and 2 projects, expected to produce 1.6 GW collectively.

A third optional vessel may support future offshore developments.